PRETORIA, Gauteng — Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has affirmed that the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) deployment in the Western Cape is yielding strategic results, emphasizing that Operation Prosper is making significant progress in dismantling deep-rooted organized crime networks. Following a highly successful Defence Lekgotla, Motshekga outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the military, balancing immediate intelligence-driven anti-gang operations with long-term goals to modernize the country’s defence industry and secure a phased budget increase.
Addressing the core objectives of the recent Defence Lekgotla, Motshekga confirmed that the military leadership and government stakeholders successfully met their objectives regarding capability procurement, strategic partnerships, and facility investments. The discussions established a clear framework for both immediate stabilization efforts and long-term sustainability.
Tackling Western Cape Gang Violence Through Intelligence
A significant portion of the minister’s feedback addressed the ongoing deployment of the SANDF in the Western Cape under Operation Prosper. Contextualizing the deployment, recent data highlighted that while approximately 1,000 suspects have been arrested over the last three months, the region has still experienced severe violence. This includes at least 40 suspected gang-related killings and 24 shooting incidents—including a mass shooting—recorded between July 17 and July 20 alone, bringing the known death toll to 64 since the operation’s inception.
Responding to concerns over the persistent violence, Motshekga clarified that the SANDF’s mandate extends far beyond providing “boots on the ground” to chase street-level runners. Instead, the military’s primary objective is to target the source of organized crime, specifically focusing on drug lords and kingpins.
“We were mandated to deal with organized crime. We have to work out the source so that we don’t have a repeat, especially regarding drugs,” Motshekga explained. She described the deployment as a two-pronged, parallel process. The first element involves a heavy military and police presence to stabilize communities, protect citizens, and make immediate arrests. The second, and equally critical element, is an intelligence-driven operation spearheaded by Defence Intelligence in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other internal intelligence sources.
According to the minister, true success will not only be measured by street-level arrests but by the military’s ability to interrupt and dismantle the core logistics and financial structures of organized crime syndicates and illegal mining operations (zama zamas).
Defence Lekgotla Outcomes: Boosting Local Industry and Exports
Beyond domestic stabilization, the Defence Lekgotla placed a heavy emphasis on the economic and industrial viability of South Africa’s military sector. Motshekga highlighted short-term goals aimed at supporting the local defence industry, which currently relies heavily on international markets due to domestic financial constraints.
To ensure sustainability and efficiency, the minister advocated for a “whole-of-government approach” to help local manufacturers export their high-demand products with greater speed. This requires policy alignment and cooperation across multiple departments, including Home Affairs and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Motshekga noted that policy alignment decisions are expected to be achieved within the next six months. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for July of next year to assess mid-term goals, which include upscaling military training, modernizing legacy programs, and determining which immediate military capabilities can be produced locally versus those that must be imported.
The ‘Journey to Greatness’: Funding and Modern Warfare
Looking toward the future, the SANDF is operating under a strategic framework dubbed the “Journey to Greatness.” Central to this plan is the phased implementation of a presidential promise to increase the defence budget to 1.5% of the national fiscus. Motshekga stressed that this increase will be phased in over time to allow for proper planning and efficient implementation, ensuring that when funds are released, the military is ready to execute its mandates without delay.
Acknowledging that a sudden 3% budget hike is neither financially feasible nor immediately spendable, the department is actively exploring alternative funding streams. This includes leveraging support from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to treat the defence sector as a vital pillar of national industrialization.
Furthermore, the Lekgotla addressed the rapidly changing global security environment, which now heavily features cyber warfare, drone technology, and hybrid threats. Motshekga pointed out that modern warfare does not always require exorbitant traditional equipment. Citing lessons from global conflicts like the war in Ukraine, she noted that agile technologies such as drones are highly effective and relatively cost-efficient.
By modernizing existing facilities, investing in research and technology, and operating with agility within the frameworks of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), South Africa aims to remain highly relevant and capable on the modern battlefield without requiring unsustainable financial burdens.